Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of isoquinoline-based bioactive compounds. Its structure supports the construction of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, which are common in drugs targeting neurological disorders, inflammation, and certain cancers. The ester and ketone functional groups allow for selective chemical modifications, enabling the formation of more complex molecules in medicinal chemistry research. It is also employed in the preparation of kinase inhibitors and receptor antagonists during drug discovery processes.